Sr Software Engineer - Network & SDN - TeraWave

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based connectivity with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

As a Senior Network Engineer for Network Architecture & SDN at TeraWave, you will contribute significant technical expertise to the design and implementation of the "brain" of our constellation, developing a dynamic, self-healing network that operates at orbital speeds across our multi-orbit constellation of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites. You will work on solutions for a topology that changes every second, help design inter-satellite links (ISLs) that move at 27,000 km/h, and implement seamless handoffs for users on the ground—all while adhering to strict power and latency budgets.

In this role, you will apply your strong expertise in networking architecture and software-defined networking to develop critical components of our space-based communications system. You will collaborate with principal engineers and technical leaders to implement innovative approaches to routing, traffic management, and network resilience. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work at the intersection of advanced communications technology and orbital mechanics, making significant technical contributions to a revolutionary system.

Responsibilities:

Implement designs for key components of our hybrid space-ground transport network

Develop routing solutions, topology management systems, and fast-reroute mechanisms tailored for time-varying LEO constellations

Create capacity models that translate raw RF link characteristics into effective network-layer implementations

Implement Software-Defined Networking (SDN) frameworks to support centralized and distributed control planes

Develop real-time Traffic Engineering (TE) and policy enforcement mechanisms to optimize data flow across constrained satellite payloads and terrestrial backbones

Implement programmable transport solutions that allow for deployment of new protocols and features

Develop components for the observability stack using in-band and out-of-band telemetry for packet-level visibility

Implement "Self-Healing" network logic where real-time telemetry feeds into SDN controllers for automated congestion management and fault isolation

Develop methods to correlate flow-level tracing with link performance to improve efficiency across the constellation

Implement packet forwarding solutions that can operate reliably in space environments, optimizing for latency and throughput under power constraints

Support cross-layer optimization efforts, working alongside RF and Silicon teams to ensure mobility across beams and satellites

Provide technical guidance within your team and mentor junior engineers on networking best practices

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 8+ years of experience in network engineering, distributed systems, or telecommunications

Strong knowledge of BGP, IS-IS, OSPF, and Segment Routing (SRv6/SR-MPLS) in network environments

Experience implementing or working with SDN controllers and programmable data planes (P4, OpenFlow, or proprietary frameworks)

Solid understanding of packet processing, ASIC/FPGA forwarding logic, and high-speed switching

Experience implementing network solutions for wireless, cloud, or service provider networks

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Good technical written and verbal communication skills

Experience with development in mission-critical environments

Preferred Qualifications:

MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Experience with satellite communications networks or terrestrial/satellite hybrid networks

Knowledge of telemetry pipelines and analytics for network monitoring

Background in graph theory or network optimization

Contributions to networking projects, internally or open-source

Familiarity with satellite communications systems

Understanding of regulatory considerations for communications systems

Experience with modeling and simulation tools for network performance analysis

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $248,830.00 - $348,361.65
WA applicants is $248,830.00 - $348,361.65

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• •Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• •Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• •Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• •Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• •Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• •Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• •Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• •Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and mai